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Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(03): 182-188
DOI: 10.1055/a-1062-6664
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Relationship between Serum Relaxin Concentrations and Knee Valgus

Gabrielle G. Gilmer
1   University of Pittsburgh Medical Scientist Training Program, Pittsburgh, United States
,
Michael D. Roberts
2   School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, United States
,
Gretchen D. Oliver
2   School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding The authors would like to thank the Auburn University Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for providing funding for this project.
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 24 October 2019

Publication Date:
05 January 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Female athletes are at an elevated risk for tearing their anterior cruciate ligament, compared to their male counterparts. Though injury screening clinical tests and neuromuscular training programs have been widely implemented, injury rates remain high among female athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus during three clinical tests (single leg squat, drop vertical jump, and single leg crossover dropdown). Twenty-two female athletes volunteered. Participants were scheduled for collection during the mid-luteal phase, when serum relaxin concentrations are known to be measurable. Blood samples were collected, and serum relaxin concentrations were quantified. Kinematic data were collected while participants performed the three clinical tests. Regression analyses revealed statistically significant relationships between serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus throughout all tests. These findings suggest that serum relaxin concentrations and knee valgus are not independent of each other and more holistic approaches may be necessary to truly map out the risk for injury and ultimately reduce the rate of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Thus, concluding that knee valgus, a highly utilized modifiable biomechanical risk factor, and relaxin, a hormone that has been associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes, are related to each other.

Key words

anterior cruciate ligament - female athletes - kinematics - injury prevention
 

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